Vallejo High student killed in hit-and-run on Wednesday; person of interest sought

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Emergency crews help a Vallejo woman who was backed over by a suspect in the overturned GMC SUV on Vervais Avenue on Wednesday in Vallejo. The suspect fled the scene on foot and the victim was taken by ambulance to a nearby medical facility, where she died from her injuries. - CHRIS RILEY — TIMES-HERALD

An 18-year-old Vallejo High School senior killed in a hit-and-run collision Wednesday afternoon was identified by the Solano County Coroner’s Office Thursday as Ayres Buffin.

The crash took place at about 3:43 p.m. when Vallejo police received reports of a collision between a car and pedestrian on Vervais Avenue near Fleming Avenue East, authorities said.

According to authorities, a 1994 GMC Suburban was traveling up the steep northbound direction of Vervais Avenue, when the vehicle stopped near Elna Drive.

For an unknown reason, the Suburban started to roll backward down the hill, while the driver was still in the vehicle, police said.

“The vehicle appeared to attempt to negotiate the corner of Vervais Avenue and Fleming Avenue East, police said in a Wednesday news release.

Instead, the driver hit Buffin, who was walking on the sidewalk, authorities said. She was transported to a local area hospital but later died from her injuries, police said.

After hitting Buffin, the vehicle continued to roll down the street, eventually overturning and coming to a rest on the other side of Vervais Avenue.

The driver fled on foot.

On Thursday, police identified Vincent Fitzer, 29, as a person of interest, who may have been involved in the crash. Authorities released Fitzer’s picture to the public asking that he contact the Vallejo Police Department.

Vallejo City Unified School District Superintendent Adam Clark confirmed Thursday afternoon that extra counselors and psychologists would be at the Vallejo High campus to help grieving students and staff.

“We want to offer any extra support we can during this time,” Clark said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Officer Waylon Boyce at (707) 648-4013 and refer to case number 18-2714.

Wednesday’s crash marks the seventh person during the current year to be killed in a vehicle collision in Vallejo.